expectations

what do they expect of me?

if they expect me to follow the well-trodden path, to connection, to education, to permanence - i will disappoint.

but if i expect myself to follow where intuition and intellect guide me, to my truest passion, to my metaphorical home - i will excel.     what do they expect of me?

if they expect me to respond to challenges in the typical traditional way, while ignoring my inner voice and compromising my values - i will disappoint.

but if i expect myself to respond to the world without numbing my sensibilities, while creating my own solutions and respecting my reasons for being - i will flourish.     what do they expect of me?

if they expect me to settle for existing trends and customary circumstances, leaving my integrity hanging out to dry - i will disappoint.

but if i expect myself to settle for nothing and push beyond my limits, leaving the not-quite-a-fit status quo far behind - i will thrive.     what do they expect of me?

if they expect me to accept and surrender to less-than-satisfactory conventions, because otherwise i may just ruffle a few feathers - i will disappoint.

but if i expect myself to accept and welcome the feeling of exhilarating boldness, because i choose to stand up for and champion my cause - i will dazzle.     if what they expect is beneath your very best, if it isn't what you expect yourself to do . . .

rise up. throw off the shackles.     excel, flourish, thrive, and dazzle.    

    do your expectations for yourself differ from what others think you should do? do you concentrate on living your own life in spite of these conflicting views?

please share your thoughts with me in the comments below.         [maxbutton id="1"]